Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria, primarily targeting the tonsils and throat. While common, improper management can lead to severe health issues. Understanding the missteps to avoid in diagnosis, treatment, and hygiene protocols is essential for recovery and preventing complications.
Ignoring Initial Symptoms
A significant error is dismissing the infection as a routine cold or simple viral sore throat, delaying medical evaluation. Strep throat typically presents with a sudden onset of throat pain and a fever of 101°F or higher, usually without the cough or runny nose common in viral illnesses. Visual cues often include red and swollen tonsils, sometimes featuring white patches or streaks of pus, and tiny red spots (petechiae) on the roof of the mouth.
Failing to seek a prompt diagnosis leaves the bacterial infection untreated, increasing the risk of severe complications. Untreated GAS infection can trigger an abnormal immune response, leading to acute rheumatic fever. This inflammatory condition can cause permanent damage to the heart valves, joints, and nervous system.
Antibiotic treatment must begin quickly to prevent these severe immune-mediated sequelae, which also include post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, a condition causing kidney inflammation.
Mismanaging Prescribed Medication
The most frequent error after diagnosis is failing to complete the entire antibiotic regimen. Patients often notice rapid symptom improvement within 24 to 48 hours, mistakenly leading them to discontinue treatment. However, the absence of symptoms does not mean the bacteria have been completely eradicated from the body.
Stopping the medication prematurely allows resilient bacteria to multiply. This recurrence necessitates a second course of treatment and contributes to antibiotic resistance. Crucially, an incomplete course fails to eliminate the risk of developing acute rheumatic fever.
Antibiotics must be taken exactly as prescribed, typically for a full 10-day period, to ensure all bacteria are killed. If a dose is missed, contact a healthcare provider for guidance. Never double a dose or take medication prescribed for a different person, as this affects efficacy and contributes to resistance.
Behaviors That Spread Infection
A major mistake is returning to work, school, or other group settings too quickly after starting treatment. An infected person remains contagious until they have been taking the prescribed antibiotics for at least 24 hours. Returning before this 24-hour mark, or while still running a fever, risks exposing others to the highly contagious bacteria.
Neglecting personal and environmental hygiene, particularly within a shared household, is another common error. The bacteria spread easily through respiratory droplets and by touching contaminated surfaces.
To mitigate transmission risks, strict hygiene protocols must be followed. This includes covering coughs and sneezes, and frequent handwashing with soap and water. Avoid sharing personal items such as food, drinks, utensils, or toothbrushes.
All shared surfaces, including doorknobs and countertops, should be regularly disinfected. Additionally, the infected person’s toothbrush should be replaced after the first few days of antibiotic therapy.